Mike Tomlin has listed five possible Steelers to play free safety when they take the Mile High plunge Monday night in Denver, and if one of them is not named Ryan Clark the correct answer will be Tyrone Carter.

Somehow, the Steelers survived to an extent with Carter playing four games at strong safety for Troy Polamalu, so this assignment should not be quite as demanding. While Clark has been an important ingredient to a Steelers defense that dominated the NFL last season, he just is not Troy Polamalu.

Neither is Carter a Ryan Clark, but the fact is the Steelers' defense turns on its All-Pro strong safety, and Polamalu looked better in his second game than he did in his first back from a sprained knee ligament.

This ongoing story is intriguing more for the human interest part of it, the dilemma for Clark and the Steelers because of his health issues in Denver than it is over the effect his absence could have on the Steelers' defense. Clark has sickle-cell trait, and his blood reacted so poorly in the exertion of playing in the thin Denver air with the Steelers in 2007 that he became almost deathly ill after the game. He wound up having his spleen and gall bladder removed and missed the second half of the 2007 season. Clark has received medical clearance to play Monday night, but has not made a decision.

As for the effect on Clark's possible absence, the Broncos are not a team that throws deep very often, as witnessed by quarterback Kyle Orton's yards-per-attempt of 7.00, which ranks 17th in the NFL. That compares with Ben Roethlisberger's 8.85, which ranks first. And for another, Polamalu will be on the field.

The way Dick LeBeau schemes defenses, the Broncos will have trouble even if they wanted to try to exploit the free safety because Polamalu could wind up there after the snap of the ball.

"I don't think they change too much because Troy will be out there," Carter said. "Still, it's predicated where Troy's at for the game plan on offense. That's the only thing I can think of. They still have to account for Troy."

Quarterbacks and their offenses have historically had trouble doing just that because Polamalu can move so quickly from one part of the field to another at the snap of the ball. The Steelers' defense revolves around him.

"Ryan's a great safety who's a quarterback back there," Carter said. "He's usually the fail-safe guy, and they let Troy do his thing. Ryan makes sure they don't get behind us, and if they pop into holes he's there to make the tackle, and we line up and play again."

One thing that could take place is the communication between Clark and linebacker James Farrior.

"Yeah, it changes a little bit for me," Farrior explained. "He's the guy who's always making the calls with me. It seems like I have an extra voice out there. It will definitely affect how I'm going to be calling things. Being out there, I have to be more aware of situations and that he's not going to be back there echoing my call.

"He knows it just like me, so he's calling it at the same time I'm calling it."

Two reasons Carter would start in Clark's place instead of Ryan Mundy, Deshea Townsend or Keiwan Ratliff -- all mentioned as possibilities by Tomlin -- are his experience playing safety and his ability against the run. Townsend has practiced and played safety the past two seasons, but at 5 feet 10 and 190 pounds is not the run-stopper that the 5-9, 195-pound Carter has been.

"If he doesn't play, that will be the challenge for me or Mundy," Carter said, "to make sure when we get an opportunity to bring him down we have to bring him down. I'm more strong safety than free safety, but I've been playing safety for years and I got accustomed to playing both."

Both Farrior and Carter believe the communication between them would be satisfactory.

"Yeah, I've been in this defense for six years and I know it in and out, which helps me a lot," Carter said. "So I don't have to be worried about what I'm doing. I know what they're doing around me.

"And playing with Troy, I know what Troy does and I have to make sure he gets the calls and line him up as well. That's the challenge for me and when the plays come, just make them."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09308/1010615-66.stm

Steelers & I

11-04-2009, 04:28 AM

I can't argue with the Steelers decision. Hopefully Carter plays FS a lot better than he plays SS. I don't see it happening though, his pass coverage skills are well below average. Come on Carter, have the game of your life man, PLEASE!

HometownGal

11-04-2009, 06:37 AM

I really like Carter and though he isn't on the same radar as Troy or Clark, he does a decent job back there imho. Tyrone - we're gonna need you to play your azz off come Monday night! :hope: :tt02:

Texasteel

11-04-2009, 06:45 AM

I don't think there are all that many of us Carter fans around here, but I also think he has done a good job here as a backup safety. Having said that, he does need to elevate his game some on Monday.

SteelerEmpire

11-04-2009, 08:44 AM

Come on Carter.... we'll need your best game next Monday....

Fire Haley

11-04-2009, 09:35 AM

We will survive.

Lord Tyrone is my man.

NJarhead

11-04-2009, 09:39 AM

The dude can hit; no question about it. But, I am "mildly" concerned that maybe he's lost a step or two. I'm sure he wants to redeem himself for the Chicago game though. Hopefully he can dismiss any doubts early by knocking the snot out of the first guy who thinks he can go over the middle. C'mon Ty, counting on you man! :tt03:

steelreserve

11-04-2009, 11:20 AM

It seems like Carter does a much better job filling in for Clark than for Troy. Last year when he was in there, the defense didn't even miss a beat. So I'm a lot less worried this time than I was earlier in the season.

El-Gonzo Jackson

11-04-2009, 12:20 PM

I just think Carter is a liability at FS. He doesnt take smart angles to the receivers and Marshall or Royal could get loose deep.

Clark on the other hand is there time and time again to separate WR's from the ball down the field. Ask Percy Harvin or TJ Whosyourmama. Man, I hope we pressure the heck out of Orton.

SoCalFan

11-04-2009, 12:26 PM

No Polamalu for sure!But who is?Theres only one.I do like Ty though.He will play better in the FS position!

steelreserve

11-04-2009, 01:12 PM

I just think Carter is a liability at FS. He doesnt take smart angles to the receivers and Marshall or Royal could get loose deep.

Clark on the other hand is there time and time again to separate WR's from the ball down the field. Ask Percy Harvin or TJ Whosyourmama. Man, I hope we pressure the heck out of Orton.

Well, yeah, Clark over Carter at FS is a no-brainer, except that Clark alive over Clark dead is an even bigger no-brainer. It's a downgrade either way, but I was much happier with the way Carter filled in at FS last season than the way he filled in at SS this season.

El-Gonzo Jackson

11-04-2009, 01:32 PM

Well, yeah, Clark over Carter at FS is a no-brainer, except that Clark alive over Clark dead is an even bigger no-brainer. It's a downgrade either way, but I was much happier with the way Carter filled in at FS last season than the way he filled in at SS this season.

I guess I just wish that Mundy was further along to play FS. IMO, Carter is a better SS backup.

Steelboy84

11-04-2009, 01:47 PM

I feel we'll get enough pressure on Orton, so Clark not being out there (maybe) won't be a big deal.

Psyychoward86

11-04-2009, 04:33 PM

This is likely Carter's only chance at redemption this season, i'm sure he'll make the most of it.

LVSteelersfan

11-04-2009, 05:41 PM

I don't think Orton has the long ball skills to take advantage of Tyrone. Not a huge fan of Carter but he does ok. The Steelers D is not used to getting beat by a bad play. Unfortunately the chances go up when Carter is back there. But he is pretty solid most of the time. I just hope he doesn't have to be the final line of defense if Eddie Royal gets loose. Royal and Marshall will eat Tyrone alive if they get one on one against him. Orton might get a lucky one in there once in awhile.

Fire Haley

11-04-2009, 06:01 PM

It seems like Carter does a much better job filling in for Clark than for Troy. Last year when he was in there, the defense didn't even miss a beat. So I'm a lot less worried this time than I was earlier in the season.

There ya go.

That is the correct answer.

Nobody can fill in for Troy, Carter can fill Clark's spot for one game, no problem.
He might even be a little stouter against the run.